Wine Alexandria Virginia

By  The Vino Vixen™

Wine - The Most Civilized Drink in the World

One can argue that all of modern civilization has its’ roots in Greece.  And certainly the most civilized of our modern world is a glass of fine wine.  For over 6000 years, the Greeks did not simply sip wine – they adored and worshipped the juice through their wine god, Dionysos.  

The Worship of Wine
No mere god to the Greeks, Dionysos was the son of their supreme god, Zeus.  Greek philosophy and thought likely began over a cup of wine during their “symposia,” as they would gather together around an amphora of wine and allow the juice of Dionysos expand their minds.  Hippocrates, knowing well the healing power of a fabulous glass of wine, often prescribed vino for medicinal purposes; and coins were stamped with reliefs of grapes and vessels of wine.  The ancient Greeks took their love of wine seriously.

The Spread of Greek Wine
Through their prolific trading and colonization, the Greeks brought their adoration of wine and winemaking expertise to other countries.  Spain, Italy, and France became wine producing regions – much thanks to the Greeks.

So, Why Aren’t We Sipping Greek Wines?
Ultimately, wine-OHs like you and me should be offering a toast to the ancient Greeks who were among the first to produce wine, and certainly the first to worship wine.  We should thank them for the Bordeaux in our cellars and the Amarone we tasted last night.  So, since the Greeks were so instrumental to our enjoyment of wine today, why aren’t we sipping Greek wines tonight?  Good question (thanks, I posed it).  Here’s my unscientific answer:

1.The modern Greeks stink at marketing.

2.They grow over 200 national varieties of grapes – and we can barely pronounce 4.

3.Greek vineyard acreage has been in steady decline for the past 30 years (and probably longer than that, but I don’t have statistics).

Well, The Vino Vixen’s Sipping Greek!

I owe it to the ancestors of our Greek heroes who contributed wine to the benefit of modern civilization.  Simply put, it was my moral obligation as a wine-OH to learn more about Greek wine, taste them and bring the experience to you.  I called local Greek wine importer, Ioannis G. Tsapos (I can’t pronounce his name either – everyone calls him Yannis). Yanis is Founder and President of the aptly names Dionysos Imports is one of the largest importers of Greek wines in the mid Atlantic, as well as the name behind “Yannis Greek Wines.”  I was counting on this modern Greek to guide me through the Iliad of Greek wines.

With over 200 grape varietals from which to sip, narrowing down some Greek wines to recommend was no easy task.  Here are a few you can find locally at Balduccis, Whole Foods or

White

2007 Tselepos 07 Mantinia Moschfilero

Moschofilero [ Mos ko fee' le ro ] is a distinct aromatic grape with vibrant acidity from within the AOC region of Mantinia, in the Peloponnese. Its has a crisp, dry character and beautiful floral aroma of spring flowers, with hints of citrus and spice.
VINEYARD & CULTIVATION: Mantinia  is produced on selected low-yield vineyards, in the communities of Zevgolatio and Agiorgitika of Mantinia.
Local restaurants you can find this wine are Hanks Oyster Bar and Taverna Cretekou.  Both on King Street.

Red

2003 Strofilia Agiorgitiko   

The Agiorgitiko grape is a rich red color. On the nose it gives expression of a full aromatic character with emphasis on the scents of cherry, white pepper, and ripe dark fruit. Elegant and balanced, marked by a velvety taste and soft tannins.
Agiorgitiko is one of the most noble Greek red varieties. It is cultivated in the Prefecture of Corinthia, chiefly in the OPAP (Appellation of Origin of Superior Quality) zone of Nemea at an altitude which ranges from 300 to 800 metres. It is also encountered sporadically in the Prefectures of the Argolis, Arcadia, and Attica, and in Macedonia.

You can find this one on the wine list at Vasos Kitchen (the old Dixie Pig).

Cheers,

 The Vino Vixen™ is Mari Stull – Syndicated wine columnist, correspondent for Wine Taste TV, and member of the Society of Wine Educators.  See her picks in this month’s Travel Girl Magazine  and BlueSky Magazine.  Have a wine question or comment for Mari?  She can be reached at VinoVixen@vinovixen.com.